BINTULU – Young people across Sarawak have been identified as the crucial next generation of leaders who will steward the state’s future with integrity and vision.
This sentiment was central to proceedings at the recent Sarawak Youth Week 2025 celebration, held at Dewan Suarah Bintulu.
The Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, emphasised that the state’s youth are powerful agents of change.
He stated they are instrumental in driving progress across economic, social, cultural, and technological spheres.
He further elaborated that active involvement from young people fortifies communal unity, spawns innovative ideas, and creates valuable opportunities for partnership.
The government has undertaken significant efforts to foster this engagement through extensive outreach programmes.
To date, the Jelajah Belia Sarawak (Sarawak Youth Tour Programme) has been conducted in 33 districts, attracting over 25,000 participants.
This initiative is designed to connect with young people at the grassroots level, including those in remote and rural locations.
The programme provides avenues for involvement in activities that build character, leadership qualities, and resilience.
It also aims to narrow the development gap, ensuring all young Sarawakians can participate in the state’s advancement. The minister made these comments during his welcoming address at the week-long event.
Sarawak Youth Week also functions as a platform to motivate and acknowledge young talent through competitions, showcases, and award ceremonies.
Participants gain access to workshops, forums, and training sessions designed to impart new skills.
These sessions cover critical areas such as digital literacy, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The minister noted that such events also open doors for collaboration with government bodies, industry leaders, educational institutions, and non-governmental organisations.
The presence of enthusiastic young participants not only benefits the programmes but also acts as a positive inspiration for peers who have not yet become involved.
The 2025 celebration, which ran from 13 to 19 October, featured three main clusters: Youth Champion, Youth X-Tive, and Youth Marketplace, encompassing 16 separate programmes.
In a highlight of the closing ceremony, the Sarawak Youth Award 2025 was presented to two outstanding individuals.
Shahradhi Libiki Iskandar Ridhuan (33), from Kuching, won the Male Individual Category, while Rapunzel Anthony Jamuh (28), from Miri, secured the Female Individual Category award.
For the Sarawak Youth Association Award, the SABERKAS Satok Branch was declared champion, with the Kelab Iban Mansang Bawang Assan named as runner-up.
The event was officiated by the Sarawak Premier and attended by numerous dignitaries and community leaders.
